Profile: The move to first base for Joe Mauer has had a domino effect that could result in significant playing time for Pinto. The freshman catcher had a breakout 2013 season after toiling in the minors for parts of eight seasons -- and much of seven years in Rookie or A-ball. Pinto is a respectable defensive player but it's his bat that should earn him the playing time. He utilizes a short stroke that helps him hit for a high batting average with solid pop, and the Venezuelan native also significantly increased his on-base numbers last year. The organization signed veteran free agent catcher Kurt Suzuki, but he's probably a back-up at this point in his career and shouldn't be too much of a threat unless Pinto completely falls on his face in the spring. (Marc Hulet)

The Quick Opinion: Pinto should be considered the favorite for the majority of playing time behind the dish for Minnesota in 2014. He could be an average or better offensive contributor for the position -- even as a first-year player.

Profile: It's clear the Twins don't think much of Pinto as a catcher. Although for some reason he hasn't been able to find himself getting consistent plate appearances in the major leagues even though the Twins have had a gaping hole at designated hitter for most of that period, too. After Kendrys Morales was dealt to Seattle, Kennys Vargas got the first crack at those plate appearances and fared relatively well, leaving Pinto to rot in Rochester, where he hit .279/.376/.457. Coming into his age-26 season, Pinto will most certainly crack the big-league roster, but might be hard pressed to find time behind Kurt Suzuki behind the plate and Vargas at DH. These kinds of things usually work themselves out -- Suzuki is no great shakes offensively -- but the Twins haven't always been on the right side of these sort of things, either (see: Ortiz, D). (Brandon Warne)

The Quick Opinion: Pinto is a fascinating player this year in fantasy baseball. One slip from Suzuki or Vargas -- and look at them, this isn't much of a reach -- could spring an avalanche of playing time for the mashing Venezuelan. At a buck or a back-end draft choice in deep drafts, you could do worse for a flier.

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